TDEC Announces Rebates for Buyers, Lessees of Qualifying Electric Vehicles
Limited-time offer will be available for purchases or leases made after June 15
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Office of Energy Programs today announced it will offer a two-tiered rebate on qualifying electric vehicles that are purchased or leased and registered in the State of Tennessee.

"Electric vehicles are a great alternative for Tennesseans looking to do their part in protecting the air we breathe," TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau said. "This rebate program is a way to assist consumers making environmentally conscious transportation decisions." 

Electric vehicle dealerships will be responsible for providing the rebate to consumers after such funds are received from the State. The State will rebate $2,500 on zero-emission battery electric vehicles and $1,500 on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles sold or leased (with a three-year minimum lease term) by a Tennessee dealership to Tennessee residents, after a claim is filed by the dealership.

For the purposes of this rebate, battery electric vehicles are defined as fully electric, zero-emission vehicles that have an on-board electrical energy storage device that can be recharged from an external source of electricity. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have zero-emission vehicle range capability and an on board electrical energy storage device that can be recharged from an external source of electricity. In general, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can be driven using electricity, gasoline or both.

There is currently $682,500 available for this second iteration of the electric vehicle rebate program. The rebate program will go into effect for vehicle purchases or leases made after June 15, 2015. Rebates will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program will remain active until funds are exhausted.  

The following vehicles are eligible to qualify for a rebate:  

Battery electric vehicles (BEV) $2,500 Rebate
 
·    BMW i3 or i3 Rex

 
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) $1,500 Rebate
 
·    BMW i8

 
For questions or more information, e-mail Alexa Voytek, program manager at TDEC's Office of Energy Programs, at alexa.voytek@tn.gov or call (615) 532-0238.     
 
Disclaimer: The information, data, or work presented herein was funded in part by an agency of the United States Government.  Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.  Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.  The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.      
    Â